Report: Google threatened Acer, forced it to dump rival OS

Google has allegedly threatened Acer with termination of the companies' partnership on Android, forcing Acer to cancel the launch of a device running a rival mobile operating system.

Acer was scheduled to unveil a smartphone running Alibaba's Aliyun OS today, but that press conference was canceled to appease complaints from Google, maker of Android, Dow Jones reported. The new device was supposed to be sold in China starting Friday.

"Our partner was notified by Google that if the product runs Aliyun OS, Google will terminate its Android-related cooperation and other technology licensing with our partner," Alibaba said in a statement e-mailed to CNET. "We respect and understand our partner's decision to postpone the introduction of the phone, and are dismayed by the impact this dispute has had on our partner."

Android is open source, of course. Anyone can use it, even without a partnership with Google (see: Amazon's Kindle Fire). But Google gives favored device-makers early access to Android, and some Android devices launch with Google branding. Manufacturers must also obtain a license from Google to install the Google Play store. Acer makes both Android phones and tablets.

An unnamed Acer official told Dow Jones that the company will still attempt to launch its non-Android phone. "Acer will continue to communicate with Google and the company still wants to launch the new smartphone based on Alibaba software," the Acer official said.

We've contacted Google and Acer for comment, but have yet to receive a reply.